Local News
Winston Williams To Lead PALIG Caribbean
Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) has appointed Winston S Williams as chief executive officer for the Caribbean region, effective November 1.
Sookram Named Chairman Of New NIF Board
Dr Sandra Sookram has been appointed chairman of the National Investment Fund Holding Company Ltd. (NIF), succeeding Jennifer Lutchman, who resigned from the board on October 28.
Govt Navigates Geopolitics As Borrowing And Gas Risks Mount
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago faces mounting financial and geopolitical headwinds as fiscal pressures intensify and tensions with Venezuela cloud the outlook for gas production and investor confidence.
PM Unveils ‘New Dawn’ For Tobago
Heralding a “new dawn” for Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her address to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), unveiled ambitious plans for the island, including a greater share of national financial resources, its own police force, and improved access to water and housing.
Plans Under Way To Close Tobago MovieTowne
Plans are in place to close Tobago’s only cinema by January 1, 2026. MovieTowne founder Derek Chin said he intends to hold discussions with the landlords to determine the way forward for the multiplex, located at Gulf City Mall in Lowlands.
ANSA McAL Sells Standard Distributors To Term Finance
After eight decades of outfitting Caribbean homes, Standard Distributors Ltd is transitioning from a retail household name to a new chapter under Term Finance (Trinidad & Tobago) Ltd. The sale, which includes Standard’s Barbados subsidiary, follows what the parent company, ANSA McAL, described as a “careful review” of the brand’s long-term role within the group.
TOFCO Advances Manatee Jacket
Trinidad Offshore Fabricators Company Ltd (TOFCO) has announced the successful float-off of the Manatee jacket—Row C which occurred on October 1, marking a major milestone in the execution of this offshore project.
‘Business As Usual’ At Bars, Restaurants
After a segment of the population went into panic mode on Friday and rushed home seeking sanctuary, the scene was different at nighttime.
Over $3M Lost To Online Fraud In 3 Months
Over $3 million was lost to online fraud in just three months, according to Central Bank Governor Larry Howai. Speaking at a stakeholders discussion on online banking fraud at the Central Bank last week, Howai said he usually avoids such meetings, but called this one after noticing a ‘very worrying trend’ of persistent online fraud.
Regional News
PriceSmart Opening Two New Jamaican Clubs In 2026
PriceSmart Inc (PSMT) is set to double its Jamaican store count in 2026 as it moves to open two new warehouse clubs in Montego Bay, St James and the other on South Camp Road in Kingston.
B’Dos To Join Latin American Development Bank
Barbados is set to become the smallest full member of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), opening access to US$18 billion ($36 billion) in loan financing, not only for the government, but also for the island’s private sector and individuals, as Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ryan Straughn introduced legislation to ratify membership on Tuesday.
Guyana: Global Prices Of Oil, Rice Impacting Revenue
The Guyana government says the global environment is impacting the revenue of the oil and rice industries, but remain confident that the country’s economic projections would be met.
Caribbean Firms To Prioritise AI For Cybersecurity
Caribbean businesses plan to place emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies at the heart of their cybersecurity strategies in 2026, even as new research finds only a tiny fraction of firms are ready to handle rapidly escalating digital threats, among other gaps.
Bank Of Jamaica Works To Restore Banking Access
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) says it is working urgently to restore banking services, including access to cash, in communities hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.
Guyana’s Economy Expands By 7.5% In First Half
Guyana’s economy continued its robust trajectory in the first half of 2025, recording overall real GDP growth of 7.5 percent and a non-oil growth rate of 13.8 percent, according to the recently released 2025 Mid-Year Report.
Guyana’s Region Two Pushes Education Excellence
Region Two’s education system continues to make significant strides in ensuring equitable, modern and quality learning opportunities for all students.
Guyana Over 200K Bags Of Rice Transported
More than 200,000 bags of rice have been transported from Region Two under the government’s ferry-concession initiative, which continues to provide significant relief to rice farmers and millers along the Essequibo Coast.
Jamaica: Price Freeze Enforced
When a Kingston resident walked into her neighbourhood shop, a day after the hurricane’s passage, to buy a tin of sardines, she was told the price had climbed to $350. But just a few doors down, another shop was selling the same item for $250.
International News
Super Micro Shares Slip As Delivery Delays Stall AI Momentum
Super Micro Computer’s shares slipped more than 9% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the artificial intelligence (AI)-focused server maker missed quarterly profit and revenue estimates, citing delayed deliveries tied to design changes.
Google Clears DOJ Antitrust Hurdle For $32 Billion Wiz Deal
Alphabet Inc.’s Google and cybersecurity company Wiz Inc. cleared a key hurdle to closing their $32 billion deal, with the US government saying it would wrap up its investigation of the acquisition.
Oil Steadies As Traders Weigh US Stockpiles And Supply Outlook
Oil extended a run of listless trading as traders awaited US inventory data due later and assessed a persistent outlook for oversupply.
Tech Slide Drives Second Day Of Stock Losses
A selloff in technology stocks dragged global markets lower for a second day as investors continued to pull back from the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial-intelligence boom.
Spotify Forecasts Profit Above Estimates On User Growth, Price Hikes
Spotify forecast fourth-quarter profit above Wall Street expectations on Tuesday, betting on robust user growth and a boost from price hikes in the crucial holiday season.
Saudi Aramco Reports $26.9B Profit In Q3
Saudi oil giant Aramco reported Tuesday a $26.9 billion profit in the third quarter, down slightly from last year as global energy prices remain depressed over concerns of too much oil being on the market.
BP: Q3 Earnings Snapshot
BP PLC (BP) on Tuesday reported third-quarter net income of $1.16 billion. On a per-share basis, the London-based company said it had profit of 44 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 85 cents per share.
Oil Tumbles Along With Equities As Market Weighs Glut Outlook
Oil fell after a four-day run of gains, pressured by declines in wider markets and a backdrop of oversupply. Brent for January delivery traded near $64 a barrel.
Stocks Tumble As Bank Chiefs Flag Sky-High Prices
The global stock rally hit a speed bump as earnings from artificial-intelligence bellwether Palantir Technologies Inc. failed to impress and Wall Street chiefs warned of a correction due to rich valuations.
Reports
US Rate Watch OCT 2025
On October 29, 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00 % from 4.00% – 4.25%. This decision was supported by a moderation in economic activity, a softer labor market, and elevated inflation.
Economic Outlook – September 30th 2025
Earnings Update – September 30th, 2025
Pelagic Series Factsheets – September 30th, 2025
Offshore Factsheets – September 30th 2025
July 2025 Earnings News
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In July, First Citizens Group Financial Holdings (FCGFH) posted a year-on-year gain, with its after-tax profit rising 5.1% to TT$719.6 million, mainly due to growth in loans to customers and investment securities.
Local Equity Market Overview – Q2 2025
Domestically, real GDP grew 4.7% in Q3 2024, supported by advances in both the energy and non-energy sector. However, recent indicators monitored by the central bank point to a deceleration in non-energy sector growth and weakness in an otherwise improving energy sector, that could be attributed to a reduction in methanol and natural gas output. Furthermore, inflation eased slightly to 1.4% in May from 1.5% in April, and private sector credit and consumer lending have risen. Additionally, unemployment fell to 4.9% in Q1 2025 from 5.5% in the fourth quarter last year.
Earnings News – June 2025
In June, Scotiabank Limited (SBTT) reported a 5% or TT$17 million rise in after-tax profit. The increase was primarily driven by higher net interest income which was supported by an expanding loan portfolio. In contrast, CIBC Caribbean (CIBC) experienced a decline in half year revenue, despite similar loan growth. This was the result of weakness in other interest generating sources due to market volatility and lower U.S. benchmark interest rates. The combined effect of these factors and higher operating expenses weighed on performance.
Agostini-Prestige Holdings / Take Over Bid
Agostini Holdings has made an offer to acquire 100% of Prestige Holdings’ issued and outstanding shares through a share swap.